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Douglas Laycock

Douglas Laycock is one of the nation’s foremost religious liberty experts. In this 2014 photo, Laycock leaves after arguing before the Supreme Court on behalf of an Arkansas prison inmate who says his Muslim beliefs that require him to grow a beard are being violated by prison rules that prevent beards. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, used with permission from The Associated Press)

Douglas Laycock (1948- ) is one of the nation’s foremost religious liberty experts and a law professor at the University of Virginia.

Laycock is a leading religious liberty expert

Laycock is not only one of the nation’s foremost academics, but he also argues religious liberty cases before the United States Supreme Court.He is known for protecting religious liberty principles from both sides of the culture war. He has advocated for same-sex couples and conservative Christians.He also has argued both free exercise and establishment clause cases before the Supreme Court.

Born in Alton, Illinois, Laycock earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School.In his storied academic career, he has taught at the University of Chicago Law School, the University of Texas School of Law, the University of Michigan Law School, and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Laycock has argued First Amendment cases before the Supreme Court

Laycock has argued five First Amendment or First Amendment-related cases before the Supreme Court: